B E C A U S E J A P A N

By Ash Watson.

Four Stars.

So today is my stop, on the ‘Because Japan’ Book tour! Wooo! Thank you so much to @cmpublishers & @becausejapanbook for the #gifted copy and opportunity.

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Ash Watson, British expat in Japan, tells all in his first memoir. Taken from his travel journals, Watson narrates stories navigating his new life in Japan, as an English teacher. It offers a behind the scenes look at living in Japan, blending humour and honesty to convey the multitude of emotions tied to living in a new country.

“What did I do? Did I have lice? Was I the latest unwitting host of Lord Voldemort?

The other two men were giggling to themselves at a joke that everyone was in on except me, until a gaggle of women appeared in the room and all began caressing my hair, stroking and tugging at it whilst uttering rounds of loud ‘EEEEEEE?!’.

OK this madness has to end! What the hell is going on?!

The English speaking representative, finally joined the groom fest and informed me that none of the stylists had ever touched a foreigners hair before and that mine was the softest they had ever felt.”

I loved Watson’s dry humour and witty anecdotes, that are showcased throughout this memoir. Japan is a country that I have zero experience of, that I have often overlooked as a place to visit and experience. This book really opened my eyes to their culture, quirky rules and regulations, through the eyes of a foreigner. It’s a light read which still covers some hard issues, surrounding some of Japan’s more conservative ways.

The short chapters, each showcasing a unique part of his experience, were a dream to read.

I am very happy that I had the experience to read this early, I would definitely recommend. If this sounds like your cup of tea, the book will be released 01/09/2020.